In April 2018, I began a month long bike tour in Greece I named the Labours of Hercules Bike Tour of the Peloponnese. Cycling around the Peloponnese in Greece, I based the route loosely on places mentioned in the 12 Labours of Hercules.
Cycling the Hercules Trail
The month long cycle tour in the Peloponnese of Greece was a great way to explore this part of the country. Mountains and beaches, ancient sites and lakes, the beauty of the Peloponnese of Greece is definitely best appreciated on two wheels!
During the trip, I made a vlog a day which was added to my YouTube channel, as well as creating several blog posts. This page acts as the hub to each one.
Hercules Bike Tour
Below, you'll find the information divided into two sections. The first section, covers the preparations for the bike tour in Greece and explains it in more detail. The second, provides information on a day by day basis.
If a link takes you to a blog post, the daily cycling vlog will be embedded inside. If there is no blog, the link will take you straight to a cycling vlog post from the Hercules bike tour.
The Herculean Bike Tour of the Peloponnese
Index of bike touring blog posts related to the Herculean bike tour.
Preparations:
- Introduction – In this post, I write about the concept behind the bike tour. Included are some of the key locations I will be visiting in the Peloponnese related to the 12 Labours of Hercules.
- Route – In this post, I go over the route for my Hercules bike tour of the Peloponnese. Embedded in the blog post is a video that also describes the route.
- Bike Touring Gear – A look at the bike touring gear I will be taking with me on my cycling trip around the Peloponnese. Much of this gear I have mentioned in similar bicycle touring gear lists, but this one is unique to this tour.
- The Bicycle – I'll be using the Stanforth Skyelander on the Herculean bike tour around the Peloponnese in Greece.
Bike Touring Vlogs and Blog Posts
If you have a nice cup of tea ready, you can check out the entire bike touring vlog playlist on YouTube by clicking – ** HERE **
For a day by day breakdown of the bike tour, take a look below.
- Day 1- Cycling from Athens to Corinth
- Day 2 – Cycling from Corinth to Nafplion
- Day 3 – Tiryns and Lerna
- Day 4 – Cycling from Nafplion to Stymphalia
- Day 5 – Cycling from Stymphalia to Akrata Beach
- Day 6 – Cycling from Akrata Beach to Kalavrita
- Day 7 – Cycling from Kalavrita to Olympia
- Days 8,9, and 10 – Ancient Olympia in Greece
- Day 11 – Cycling from Olympia to Gialova
- Day 12 – Cycling from Gialova to Finikounda
- Day 13 – Cycling from Finikounda to Petalidi
- Day 14 – Cycling from Petalidi Beach to Megalopoli
- Day 15 – Cycling from Megalopoli to Tripoli
- Day 16 – Cycling from Tripoli to Tolo
- Day 17 – Cycling from Tolo to Epidaurus
- Day 18 – Cycling from Epidaurus to Camping Glaros
- Day 19 – Cycling from Camping Glaros to Athens
Pin this bike tour for later
Next read: Cycling Across Europe
Louis Berube says
Hello Dave,
Planning to bicycle tour in Greece for about 1 month. ( April 2023) I have toured in North, Central, South America as well as Europe. Self supported, mostly camping if possible. Prefer not to bring any cooking equipment this trip. I can get a direct flight to Athens from Toronto and Athens Toronto return. I am 66 years old and hope to cycle between 60 and 90 kms a day. Any suggestions for routes would be appreciated. Maybe Crete?? Open to any suggestions.
Thanks!!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Louis,
I’d say from the tours I’ve done in Greece, the Peloponnese is the most enjoyable for bike touring, and there’s enough road for a month (you could also combine it with going over the bridge at Patras to Nafpaktos and then on to Delphi and finally back to Athens. The route shown on this page doesn’t include some highlights such as the Mani region which is great for cycling – very wild.
If you choose to go to Crete, you have an additional trip by ferry or flight. Crete probably isn’t quite big enough for a month of touring, unless you want to take a few days out here and there to chill on the beaches (and why not?!).
Not taking cooking gear will work fine – there are tavernas and cafes all over the place. Most official camping grounds are on the coast in Greece. Unofficial look for olive groves, although Greece is very rocky and hilly so large expanses of flat ground with grass are in very short supply!
Dorothee Hildebrandt says
Hi, I’m happy that I found your site. I’m 71 y-o Swedish woman and I’ll be going by ebike to Egypt for COP27. I plan to visit Greece on my way home. COP27 will take place in November. I’ll try to stay in the Middle East almost to the end of January, then cross the Western part of Turkey before I will enter Greece at the end of February or in March. I am thinking about, that Athens have had some very cold vinters, but I don’t remember during which month. Though I would appreciate to hear from you if I have to be prepared for snow. Btw I know, I cannot make all of Greece this time. I have Athens on my bucket list and will leave Greece for North Macedonia or Albania. What do you recommended for a route?
Thanks so much in advance
and kind regards
Dorothee
Dave Briggs says
Hi Dorothee,
This sounds like an amazing journey you have planned, and I’d love for you to keep in touch as you progress!
Weather wise – January and February are typically coldest for Athens/Greece. Many mountain areas will have snow even until mid March.
We normally get some snow in February for a few days in Athens. March is a little unpredictable – We can have both 20 degrees and sun and then snow in the same week!
I would suggest after exiting Turkey to head towards Thessaloniki. From there, you could see if you have time to head further south in Greece, or go north to North Macedonia and Albania.
This northern part of Greece is typically the coldest though, and also there are a few ski resorts in the area operable from December to March.
Nick @ GreekBoston.com says
Wow! What an experience. I only wish I had the time to do something similar. Good luck!
David Miller says
Tbh Dave I can’t wait for your trip to begin, I have only scratched the surface of the Peloponnese, I want to indulge my cravings through your videos and blogs.
Dave Briggs says
I hope to do it some justice through this tour! Everything is almost packed and ready – Leave tomorrow!